One of the most quoted memories in my family of my abuelo is that on rainy days he would always say it was a perfect day for a “good soup” – this is something that has stuck with me and apparently has been embedded within my soul as I too love a “good soup” on a drafty day. I immediately get a craving for soup on windy days and love all kinds of soup, from broth-based soups to hearty stews. That’s why I love collecting soup recipes and will be sharing some with you in celebration of National Soup Month this January and the 80th birthday of Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle soup! What better way to celebrate both occasions than with 12 delicious soup recipes for you to try at home? Read on for the soup recipes and for some fun facts to get your next dinner conversation going with your kids!

In celebration of the 80th birthday of Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle soup here are some fun facts that the Campbell Soup Company shared with us that you too can share with your kids while you slurp on your chosen bowl of soup! My kids found these really interesting and I learned a few things myself, so it really made for a great dinner conversation!

Frank Sinatra always asked for chicken and rice soup to be available to him in his dressing rooms before he went on stage. (Idea: Show your kids a photo of Frank Sinatra and let them listen to some of his songs while you eat.)

It has been noted that pop-art artist, Andy Warhol, found the inspiration to paint his “Campbell’s Soup Cans” series because that’s what he had for lunch every day for 20 years. (Idea: Ask your kids – can you imagine eating the same thing every day for that long?)

Soup can be dated back to about 6000 B.C. and was first made of hippopotamus. (Ask: Would your children eat hippo soup?)

Each can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup contains 32 feet of noodles. (In our family, that’s about 5 times the height of my husband. Idea: Ask your children to calculate how many of themselves it would take to reach 32 feet.)

Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle soup was introduced in 1934, but was originally called “Chicken with Noodles” and enjoyed only moderate success. A famous on-air radio personality accidentally called it “Chicken Noodle” soup later the same year and suddenly, Campbell started receiving large orders for their “new” product. The soup was formally renamed “Chicken Noodle” after the mistake in the name caused high demand for the soup. (Ask: Have you ever made a mistake that has led to a good idea?)